Conserving biodiversity, and avoiding the mass extinction of species, are huge global challenges.

We need ecologists who can use their skills and scientific knowledge to help tackle these issues, and explore new and novel approaches to conserving wildlife.

By looking at the nature of global biodiversity, and the effects of habitat loss and climate change, you can equip yourself with the knowledge and tools you need to make a difference in this field.

Why UWE Bristol?

BSc(Hons) Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science explores wildlife conservation issues at local, national and global levels. Created in partnership with Bristol Zoo Gardens, it gives you unique access to the zoo's facilities and expertise.

Mixing theory with practice, you'll delve into the relationship between wildlife and society, and consider the impact of human activities on the living world.

Deepen your knowledge of conservation by carrying out work in natural habitats close to Bristol, including the Severn Estuary, the Cotswolds woodlands and grasslands, the Somerset Levels and Avon Gorge.

Tap into our many links with local conservation organisations, and go on placements, volunteering, field-based work and residential trips in the UK and overseas.

Choose our sandwich course option to spend your third year on a work placement in this country, Europe or further afield, applying your knowledge to topical conservation issues.

Explore the steps that can be taken to alleviate biodiversity decline, and get the strong foundation you need for a career in conservation.

Where can it take me?

You'll be well prepared to go into a wide range of jobs. You could work in national and international wildlife conservation, conservation consultancy, media and wildlife film-making, wildlife and enterprise, or wildlife conservation research.

As a science graduate, your skills will be highly valued, and you could go into a range of non-science graduate positions.

Accreditations and partnerships:

Content

The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.

Year zero (foundation year)

You will study:

Biology in Practice

Chemistry in Practice

Skills for Science

People and Science.

You normally need to pass your foundation year before going into year one.

Year one

You will study:

Life on Earth

The Earth

Field Skills (includes residential field trip)

Wildlife and Society

Year two

You will study:

Environmental and Field Techniques (includes international field trip)

Conservation in Practice

Wildlife Ecology

Ecology and Ecosystem Protection

Placement year (if applicable)

If you study on the five year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work or study placement after Year two.

Depending on which you choose, you'll either complete a placement learning or learning and development module.

See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.

Final year

You will study:

Research Project or Dissertation Project

Contemporary Conservation Science.

Plus four optional modules from:

Forests and Agricultural Systems

Marine Ecosystems

Professional Practice in Applied Sciences

Primate Ecology and Conservation

Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

Tropical Expedition

Wildlife, Film and Media.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you.

Learning and Teaching

A significant part of the teaching takes place at Bristol Zoo, where you'll learn about live conservation projects. The zoo offers an exceptional learning facility for investigating wildlife conservation, including ex-situ conservation, animal behaviour and conservation communication strategies.

Hone and develop your skills with organisations tackling a broad variety of conservation issues, from the local to the global.

Learn about research methods, field surveys, data analysis and interpretation, essential to the scientific study of wildlife.

Use our advanced film-making equipment and expertise to produce your own conservation film.

Put the theory into practice through regular field work. You'll go on funded residential trips to Devon and Tenerife, and there's an optional expedition to Cuba or Madagascar.

You could also get overseas experience. Students have worked on the Damara terns in Namibia, and with elephants in Africa, kiwis in New Zealand and gorillas in Cameroon.

You'll get help to find a placement and support throughout from department staff and our award-winning careers service.

Fieldwork

Spent a significant part of your time working in the field and getting to know the spectacular landscapes around Bristol.

There are residential visits to Dartmoor and Tenerife, with optional final-year trips to Cornwall, and the chance to go on expedition to Cuba, or to the threatened forests of Madagascar, where you'll study human-wildlife interactions.

You'll investigate a range of natural and semi-natural habitats, and develop the practical skills to study wildlife and conservation science in the field.

Study facilities

The course is part-delivered at Bristol Zoo, so you'll be surrounded by wildlife and wildlife experts, working in the zoo's new Education Centre, and at their second site Wild Place.

With access to well-equipped science laboratories, a glasshouse and a dedicated field centre at the University, you'll be supported and mentored by a team of specialists at the forefront of their profession.

You'll get to use extensive equipment for fieldwork and field-based laboratory work at our field centres.

Careers / Further study

By the end of the course, you'll be well set up for working with national and international conservation organisations, or ecological consultants such as Wildlife Trusts, The Woodland Trust and other non-government organisations (NGOs).

Practical experience in plant and animal survey work, competency at mapping (GIS), and knowledge of monitoring protected species such as great crested newts, reptiles, bats, badgers or water voles are especially valuable in finding rewarding jobs.

If you're interested in conservation education, there are opportunities with the Field Studies Council and other educational organisations.

Indicative Additional Costs

Supplementary fee information

Your overall entitlement to funding is based on how long the course is that you're registered on. Standard funding is allocated based on the standard number of years that your course lasts, plus one additional year.

You'll apply for funding each year that you study and Student Finance will take into account how long the course is in each year that you apply. So if you register for the five year course and then transfer to the four year course, the number of years you can apply for funding will change. Student Finance will reassess your funding based on how many years you have been in study, not just those years for which you received student finance.

Always seek advice before taking any action that may have implications for your funding.

Typical offers

Tariff points: 48

GCSE: For all applicants, Grade C/4 or above in English Language, Mathematics and Double Science, or equivalent. Please note the University does not accept Level 2 Key Skills, Functional Skills or Certificates in Adult Numeracy and Literacy as suitable alternatives to GCSEs.

A-level subjects: Science AS or A2. Points from A-Level General Studies and AS-Level subjects (not taken onto full A-Level) can be included towards overall tariff. You must have a minimum of one A-Level.

Specific subjects: The programme requires a GCSE science. It also requires science at either AS or A2 level.

Access: Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma; to include level three credits in Science.

Baccalaureate IB: A pass in a higher level science subject.

Entry requirements

We recognise the individual nature of each application and our typical offer should be viewed as a guide. UWE Bristol welcomes interest from applicants who may not have the standard entry requirements. We will consider evidence of your relevant personal, professional or educational experience where it demonstrates an ability and potential to succeed on the course. Please include details of any relevant experience in your application.

If you are an international student your route of study for this degree is through UWE Bristol's International College which, upon successful completion to the required level and with good attendance, guarantees entry to Year one of the degree.

Offer types

If you have not received your exam results, your offer from UWE Bristol will be conditional and will be subject to you achieving the tariff points/grades required for your course.

If you have already satisfied the academic entry requirements of your chosen course, you are likely to be made an unconditional offer. Please note that UWE Bristol will only make unconditional offers if you have already achieved your qualifications.

To make sure our applicants are academically prepared for when they start their studies at UWE Bristol, we do not make unconditional offers to those that are still studying their Level 3 qualifications (such as A levels, BTEC, Access or equivalent). We hope that this will encourage our applicants to value their academic achievements as much as we do.

If you receive an offer for this course, you may be invited to attend an Offer Holder Day in February or March. These are a great opportunity to find out what it's really like to study here. You'll experience taster lectures or workshops, meet your course tutors, current students and other offer holders.

How to apply

UCAS Extra: We welcome applications through UCAS Extra for this course between 25 February and 4 July 2019. We aim to give you a response to your application within 21 days.